Despite its small size, the Vineyard has long fed the creative spirits of numerous artists, from writers to painters and everything in between. For those Island artists of a more literary persuasion, Jan Pogue’s publishing house Vineyard Stories has for years helped make dreams a written reality. Dedicated to documenting the creative spark of Island authors, Ms. Pogue opens this summer season with four new books.

A changing of the guard took place Wednesday morning as Zoe Pechter and Sondra Murphy read aloud to a group of youngsters at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. Regulars and newcomers to the children’s room eagerly pointed at the colorful picture books, laughed as they danced the Hokey Pokey, and sang along to “the French song,” a staple of Oak Bluffs storytime.

The change was ostensibly a personnel one. Ms. Pechter, who started her new job as children’s librarian on June 1, was taking the baton from Ms. Murphy, who is now the library’s director.

Summer reads are one thing, but the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival is quite another. In its fifth year, the festival occurs the first weekend in August every other year and highlights the Island’s rich literary history while bringing some of the best known authors to the Vineyard. The weekend features some of the country’s leading authors and includes readings, panel discussions, author interviews and book signings.

Carol Carrick, the well-known children’s author whose books have had a cherished place on family bookshelves and in children’s rooms in public libr

The Vineyard community will always have a strong love affair with its four lighthouses. Nearly all of the local ones are still standing, though some have been moved. All but one of the lighthouse keeper houses, though, are no longer with us. Automation ended the era of climbing the stairs to the top of the tower each afternoon to light the beacon.